The Instruments of Darkness by John Connolly is a gut-wrenching, twisted tale. The storyline has many twists and turns with masterful ingenuity to produce a book worth listening to.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a John Connolly novel and although the storyline was good, I think the audio detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the book itself. Solid writing but I found myself drifting in parts.

John Connolly does it again. Gripping from the very first page.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review

Colleen Clark stands accused of the unthinkable: murdering her own infant son, Henry. When Henry goes missing and a bloody blanket is discovered inside Colleen's car, the case seems clear-cut. However, when Charlie Parker is brought in as an investigator for the defence, he quickly realizes something doesn't add up. Is Henry truly dead, or could he still be alive?

Working alongside lawyer Moxie Castin, Parker delves into the complexities of the case, uncovering unsettling details about Colleen’s husband. As Parker pieces together the puzzle, the investigation takes unexpected turns, revealing layers of deception and hidden motives.

This US police detective procedural has some great characters and evokes an atmosphere of 'True Detective,' albeit with a touch less grit. John Connolly's storytelling is wonderfully immersive, and the excellent narration by Jeff Harding kept me gripped from start to finish.

I have never read any of John Connolly’s books before, but after this experience, I will definitely be seeking out more in the Charlie Parker series.

Listening to Jeff Hardy narrate John Connolly books are one of life’s greatest joys.

I’ve been looking forward to this one all year, and it didn’t disappoint. The story is as dark and gripping as you would expect from a Parker novel, and while maintaining a familiarity I’ve come to expect, it still felt fresh and new.

I’m excited to see where Connolly takes Parker next, and cant wait for next years book.

This is a great story, well written with a fascinating psychic theme running through it. It is my first time reading the Charlie Parker series, but this worked well as a standalone and there was a good balance of the current case with some personal life and background to enable me to get to know Charlie.

Charlie is one of a few who believe that Colleen Clark is innocent of the murder of her young son. Even her husband believes she is guilty. Charlie teams up with Sabine, a psychic who claims to be able to hear the boy, Henry, along with someone, or something very sinister.

Sadly, for me, this was somewhat spoiled by the bland and almost monotone narration. I listen to 1-2 audiobooks per day and the narrator really does make or break a book. I felt that in this case, the book was simply being read out loud, whereas a skilled voice actor will really bring the characters to life and act each character in a way that the listener can differentiate between the characters who are narrating a chapter.

For this reason, it is just a three star, however with a different narrator or reading the book rather than listening, I would expect to enjoy it much more than this.

⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, John Connolly and Hodder and Stoughton, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Sizzles with tension, desire, and a forever-escalating sense of menace! Let this supremely enjoyable thriller whisk you up, up and away. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full of twists and turns, it will keep you furiously turning the pages. Or listening to the audio which was amazing!

It's been years since I read a John Connolly novel, and what have I missed. I could not stop listening to this audiobook. The plot got me hooked from the start. Full of good characters especially Charlie Parker. The supernatural elements hit the marks without being to oner the top and Jeff Harding's narration was easy to listen too I liked his tone and pacing. Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for letting me listen to this excellent book.

Book #21 in the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly, but the first for me. Connolly is a skilled storyteller weaving together elements of the supernatural with a thrilling detective novel. Darkness weighs heavily in this story with a young child missing and the mother being blamed despite the lack of a body. Parker is on the case as a private detective working on behalf of the defence lawyer. He links in with a medium, whose reputation is shaky after a failed case involving another young child. With a cast of murky characters, there are a number of avenues for Parker to pursue. The truth will take him close to darkness himself. A superb read that is quite lengthy but will keep you rapt (464 pages / 14.5 hrs). Expertly narrated by Jeff Harding #theinstrumentsofdarkness #johnconnolly #netgalley #audiobook #isisaudio #hodderandstoughton

The Instruments of Darkness - A Charlie Parker Thriller by John Connolly and narrated by Jeff Harding is the first book I have read/ listened to from this author and it is simply fantastic. It has the tone of a classic gangster/ PI movie thanks to the excellent narration by Jeff Harding, but it has a more contemporary setting

A mother falls into a much deeper sleep than usual, her young son Henry has been teething and she has not bwwn sleeping much lately. The house is eerily quiet when she wakes up, her child is far too quiet, she races straight to Henry's bedroom, and he is gone. She races out into the street, screaming in her nightdress. Her husband returns home, both parents are bereft, but the discovery of a bloodied blanket flips the plot on its head and suddenly, fingers are being pointed at the mother.

Charlie Parker is working with Lawyer Moxie Castin. As Charlie puts it "Moxie is here to take care of you and I will take care of Henry". Their job is to find Henry first, then clear Colleen Clarkes name

A side bar continues throughout the audiobook, about a prefab house, the ground excavated, but not much else. What is the connection and why is it so bad that even the flies die when they touch it?

Wit, suspense, intrigue. A mystery/ thriller so good I went out and bought the audiobook to listen to it over again. Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, the author John Connolly and narrator Jeff Harding for this highly compelling ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Great book, well read and very good story. I will now have to go back and read the Charlie Parker books 12-20, should keep me busy for a while
All the Charlie Parker books are a bit weird, not just thrillers/mysteries, but twisted and spooky
Definitely a 5 star book

I’ve dropped in to the Charlie Parker party rather late; this is outing 21 in the series and my first. That said, it feels fresh and whilst I have the pleasure to come of exploring earlier books, this is outstanding as a standalone. A huge round of applause for the narrator who, for me, immediately captured the essence of the old style sleuth. The slow delivery is perfect and allows time to enjoy the many wry and humourous observations that pepper the text. Just brilliant.

As for the story, I was blown away. It’s dark, complex, packed with interesting characters and the investigations feel real. Colleen is accused of abducting her child. Her lawyer, Moxie, calls in his old friend Parker to investigate the disappearance as everyone seems to believe Colleen is guilty. Charlie has his own approach and isn’t afraid to be unorthodox and the action soon has him involved in the seedy side of Maine gang land with a hint of the supernatural thrown in. Sounds an unlikely mix? Possibly, but it works. I loved the short chapters, the dark humour and the insights into what makes people tick. Pure escapist fiction at its best.

Colleen Clark has been charged with the abduction and murder of her young son. Her lawyer Moxie Castin has asked Private investigator Charlie Parker to look into the case. It’s not too long before anomalies start to appear.
Colleen’s husband thinks she guilty and they should throw away the key, a disgraced psychic claiming she can hear the missing boy’s voice, and a house in the remote Maine woods that has secrets buried beneath.
Chuck in gangsters, a group of gun toting hoodlums, along with Charlie Parker and his notorious friends, topped off with a sinister evil that dwells in a house in the middle of the woods that leads to an explosive situation that has a devastating effects for everyone involved.
Every time I listen to a John Connolly book narrated by Jeff Harding it’s a pleasure to listen to. The two of them are perfect foils for each other. Connolly is an incredible writer and Harding is a wonderful narrator.
The novel is dark, compelling, funny and intense. This truly is a glorious piece of writing, expertly read by one of the best in the business.

This is a review of the audiobook of "Instruments of Darkness" by John Connolly is the 21st
instalment in the Charlie Parker series, and it is a testament to Connolly's mastery of the thriller genre. The novel is set to be released on May 7, 2024, and it is fast paced with short
chapters. The narrator is American and at first sounds like the old like a 50's private eye type show, however you quickly understand the timeline is current. The narration is excellent and perfectly delivers this dark tale peppered with wry humour.
The story unfolds in Maine, where Colleen Clark is accused of a heinous crime against her own child. The case has polarized the community, with most people convinced of her guilt.
However, Charlie Parker, alongside lawyer Moxie Castin, senses there's more to the story.
They delve into a world that intertwines the ordinary with the supernatural, as they encounter a group of fascists preparing for conflict, a disgraced psychic seeking atonement, and a sinister house in the depths of the Maine woods—a house that harbours
something far more malevolent
Connolly's narrative is gripping, seamlessly blending mystery, horror, and crime with elements of the supernatural. His ability to create a chilling atmosphere is unparalleled,
and "Instruments of Darkness" is no exception. The novel's pacing is impeccable, with each chapter drawing the reader deeper into the dark heart of the story.
The Charlie Parker series has been lauded for its complex characters and intricate plots, and this latest entry appears to continue that tradition. Connolly's skillful storytelling is on
full display, as he weaves a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The book is also accessible to new readers, as it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, though it will
undoubtedly entice them to explore the previous books in the series.
Overall, "Instruments of Darkness" is a compelling addition to the Charlie Parker saga. It showcases John Connolly's exceptional talent for crafting stories that are as haunting as
they are enthralling. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find themselves captivated by the dark twists and turns of this supernatural thriller. With its release just
around the corner, this novel is poised to be another standout in Connolly's impressive bibliography

Henry is missing, then his Mom is accused of his possible murder. So far he has not been found. Moxie Castin will be Colleen Clark’s lawyer and Charlie Parker, a private investigator will try to find the truth of Henry’s dissapearance..

Excellent novel, well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Enjoyed all the characters min this well paced novel. Plenty of twists and turns will lead them to a very old house in Maine woods. Lots of action, investigation, the help of a Medium, danger and deaths. Well worth a read/listen.

This is the latest in John Connolly's superb Charlie Parker series with its supernatural elements, I listened to this on audio, just over 14 hours and 30 minutes, captivating narrated by Jeff Harding who had me immersed in the atmospheric story so deeply that I never wanted to stop listening as he skilfully conveyed the action and the cast of distinct characters, I particularly enjoyed his picture of medium Sabine Drew. In Maine, a mother, Colleen Clark, who had suffered post-partum depression after giving birth to her son, Henry, is almost universally reviled as a murderer after her 2 year old son is abducted and a blood soaked blanket is discovered in her car under the spare tyre. Even her husband, who spends so much time away from home in his efforts for career advancement, believes her to be guilty.

The police have stopped investigating believing they have the culprit, and although there is no body, the politically ambitious prosecutor is looking forward to a trial in which guilt is assumed. Colleen has hired lawyer, Moxie Castin, who has his private investigator, Charlie, looking into the case. A determined Charlie, who can see his dead daughter, Jennifer, can palpably feel Colleen's all encompassing heavy grief, although he cannot understand how she be so forgiving of her husband and hard stance he has taken against her. As Charlie digs, he comes across a group of fascists, a Sabine Drew who is plagued by the voices of the dead that she can hear, and he is joined in his search for the truth by Louis and Angel, and what lurks under a chillingly disturbing remote house?

This is a fast paced read, with short chapters, and there are a myriad of twists and turns in this dark and suspenseful mystery that I absolutely adored. Charlie is a charismatic presence, unafraid of going where others fear to tread, a man you want in your life, and on your side, especially if you are an innocent client he believes in. This addition to the series can be easily read as a standalone. I am sure reading the book is a fantastic experience, but I cannot recommend the audio enough with its brilliant narrator who brings the book alive! Many thanks to the publisher for an ALC.

I found this a difficult listen just because I couldn’t stand the narration style. It reminded me of those 1950s private detective movies from the US.
The story itself was odd; murder and kidnapping, gangs and a far right cult, with a touch of the supernatural. I kind of enjoyed it.
Suspend belief if you read this. Maybe read the physical book rather than the audio

As one of the biggest fans of John Connolly out there, having read the full series, this is the first time I have listened to a Charlie Parker book.

From the outset I found the narrator to be quite awkward, the voices don’t match the characters so long drawn in my mind, Parker and Louis in particular and then the female voices don’t bare mentioning.

But with those annoyances I did slowly begin to get used to the voice slowly telling another dark and thrilling tale from John Connolly.

I was pleased Connolly returned to the supernatural elements after The Dirty South. I don’t really see the Furies as much more than 2 small stories in a greater universe so for me The Dirty South was the last real Parker book.

All the trademarks were here, as John Connolly agains writes the macabre so beautifully with his cast of damaged yet resolute characters in Parker, Angel and Louis who continue to fight the darkest of evils as they age and darkness seems always ready to befall them.

Connolly is elite. The series is for me is no 1.

3 stars for the narration
5 stars for the story

Once again, Connolly brings back Charlie Parker and it is great hearing his voice once again.

Charlie is living his life in Portland, much the same as he was before, though now he is also working for Moxie, his Lawyer. That is when a case comes to him, a missing boy and his Mother accused of murdering and disposing of his body, Charlie knows he is up against it. He has a feeling that she is innocent, which goes against popular opinion, while also having a bad feeling about the woman's husband. With the aid of a disgraced psychic, Angel and Louie, Parker finds himself in the depths of Maine woodland, against a house that seems to quite literally be evil.

Listening to the audio felt like I was coming home in some ways, I had never realised how much I had missed Parkers voice. The audio itself was read brilliantly, and I loved his take on Parker, and his friends. Another brilliant book from Connelly.

A fun blend of murder, magic and mankind being measured and found wanting. Connolly explores local folklore, greed as a motivational value and the grey shades of what it means to be on the side of justice.